THE ROYAL COMMISSION OF 1863 19 



contrasted very favourably with that in 1833.'^ 

 Then, the fisheries had declined steadily since the 

 peace of 1 8 1 5 ; capital yielded no return, the 

 numbers of boats and men were decreasing, and 

 the fishermen in many cases were dependent on 

 the poor-rates for support. In 1863 the value 

 of fish landed was on the increase ; the capital 

 invested was yielding a satisfactory return ; the 

 boats were increasing in size and number each 

 year ; the number of fishermen had doubled during 

 the last twenty years, and no other class of the 

 labouring population were in so prosperous circum- 

 stances. The Scottish herring statistics showed 

 that in that country the fisheries were in a most 

 satisfactory condition. It is true that in Ireland 

 the industry had declined to an alarming extent, 

 but in that country the cause was a well-ascertained 

 economic one, and was not due to a natural 

 impoverishment of the fishing grounds. 



This being the case, the second question sub- 

 mitted to the Commissioners was already answered. 

 For it is very improbable that there could have 

 been a progressive increase in the value of the 

 industry if the methods of fishing in use had been 

 destructive to a wasteful degree. Nevertheless, it 

 was necessary to examine the effect of the prevalent 

 methods of capturing fish, for it was asserted on 

 all sides that these were ruinous to the industry. 



1 A House of Commons Committee reported in this year on the 

 condition of the fisheries. 



